Menendez zings Christie

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez — whose U.S. Senate campaign in 2006 survived news reports about an ethics inquiry launched at the height of the race by U.S. Attorney Chris Christie — got in a bit of a dig Tuesday at Christie, now a Republican candidate for his party’s nomination for governor.

Menendez said the FBI’s National Gang Threat Assessment for 2009 (link here, though it’s been having a bit of trouble loading at times) shows that gangs in the East (the region including New Jersey) “very likely will continue to expand their operations from urban communities into suburban and rural locations.” The number of police departments reporting gang activity in their jurisdiction is up, as an earlier New Jersey State Police survey showed.

Christie’s claim to fame is his tenure as U.S. Attorney, and Menendez seems to aim at taking it down a peg.

“In New Jersey, it is incumbent on our U.S. Attorney’s office to become a true partner in ending gang violence. I will be urging the next U.S Attorney in New Jersey to create a ‘tiger team’ of prosecutors who come together across the state to prosecute cases involving gangs swiftly and effectively. This is an all-hands-on-deck problem. We need to work together, share intelligence, and protect our communities. This is a top priority for the security of New Jersey families, and it should be a top priority for our top law enforcement,” Menendez said.

Menendez (with Rep. Frank Pallone) had proposed legislation last session of Congress to combat gangs and steer youths from them. He said he’s planning a stronger version of the bill for later this year.

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About Michael Symons

Michael Symons has covered seven governors while working in Gannett's Statehouse Bureau -- a stint which actually only stretches back to 2000, but the door revolves quickly in New Jersey politics. He's co-author of the biography "Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power."

4 Responses to Menendez zings Christie

That’s all so very nice that Menedez can get his digs in at Christie but what about the state AG’s office staffed with reportedly 1000 lounging attorneys that can’t find the political corruption so rampant here in this state. This problem has infested NJ for quite some time now but of course NJ has had to endure corrupt and inefective state AG’s (Harvey,Farber,Rabner) Now Milgram chooses to go after college web sites and paltry offensives. How about showing some effectiveness in those areas that affect the pedestrian citizens of NJ. Start be cleaning up the prisons where the gang members are recruted.

For starters, I do not think that Christie will get elected governor in a democratic state like NJ. To even consider this possibility is absurd. Here in NJ, we remember what republican governors promote in office, and that is to make the richer richer and the poor poorer. All of their programs are aimed at tax loopholes for the wealthies in the state and the middle and lower class ends up paying taxes up the wazoo.
Besides, we just saw what republicans are capable of, Bush-Cheney is a great reminder, for falsehoods and improprities which, we are now paying nationwide. We can not aford to have another republican be elected governor in NJ in a long time. Mr. Corzine is doing just fine. Thanks.

About the Authors

Bob JordanBob Jordan has covered state, county and muncipal governments for the past 10 years. He has also covered the gaming industry and has been a sports team beat writer for NHL, NBA and major league baseball teams.E-mail Bob

John SchoonejongenJohn Schoonejongen is state editor for Gannett New Jersey newspapers. He has reported and edited at New Jersey newspapers from Salem County to Passaic County, writing about everything from state politics to lost pigs on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Born in Camden County, he still speaks with a southern New Jersey accent, much to his wife's annoyance.E-mail John

Michael SymonsMichael Symons has covered seven governors while working in Gannett's Statehouse Bureau -- a stint which actually only stretches back to 2000, but the door revolves quickly in New Jersey politics. He's co-author of the biography "Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power."E-mail Michael